Overview

All his life, Rand T’Ash has looked forward to meeting his HeartMate, with whom he could begin a family. Once a street tough, now a respected nobleman and artisan, he has crafted the perfect HeartGift, which, in the custom of the psychically gifted population of the planet Celta, is the way a man finds—and attracts—his wife…

Danith Mallow is irresistibly drawn to the magnificent necklace on display in T’Ash’s shop, but she is wary of its creator, despite an overpowering ...

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This Book

Overview

All his life, Rand T’Ash has looked forward to meeting his HeartMate, with whom he could begin a family. Once a street tough, now a respected nobleman and artisan, he has crafted the perfect HeartGift, which, in the custom of the psychically gifted population of the planet Celta, is the way a man finds—and attracts—his wife…

Danith Mallow is irresistibly drawn to the magnificent necklace on display in T’Ash’s shop, but she is wary of its creator, despite an overpowering attraction. In a world where everyone is defined by their psychic ability, Danith has little, placing her at the opposite end of the social spectrum from T’Ash. But T’Ash refuses to accept her rejection and sees it as a challenge instead. They are HeartMates, but can T’Ash persuade his beloved to accept her destiny by his side?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

“Robin Owens has created a unique world of her own…a gem of a story—fun, fast, and sexy.”—Anne Avery“Engaging characters, effortless world-building, and a sizzling romance make this a novel that’s almost impossible to put down.”—The Romance Reader

“Fantasy romance with a touch of mystery . . . Readers from the different genres will want Ms. Owens to return to Celta for more tales of HeartMates.”—Midwest Book Review

“HeartMate is a dazzling debut novel. Robin D. Owens paints a world filled with characters who sweep readers into an unforgettable adventure with every delicious word, every breath, every beat of their hearts. Brava!”—Deb Stover, award-winning author

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Meet the Author

Read an Excerpt

Druida City, Celta, 400 years after Colonization, Summer

Today you will meet your HeartMate. Rand T'Ash's blood thrummed in his temples as he stared at the divination dice that he'd just rolled. The polished blue-green stones gleamed in the light. The symbols incised on them showed deep red veins, looking like blood. He didn't quite believe the glyphs carved in the twelve-sided pieces of bloodstone and the prophecy they foretold. He'd throw again, to be sure.
The deep emanation of his Flair-his psi power-pulsed through his blood. A few years back he'd created the dice, first choosing the bloodstones, then chiseling and shaping them. He let the swell of his emotions flow through and from him. A tingle of premonition shivered up his spine. He focused his will and mage power. With a flick of his wrist, he threw the dice again. They rolled, spun, stopped.
Today you will meet your HeartMate.
Excitement surged, and an overwhelming tide of triumph. His heart picked up beat. Shimmering tension embedded in his nerves.
T'Ash sat and gripped his half-empty caff mug between his palms. It was oversized, made by a mage-potter to fit his hands. The ebb and flow of his preternatural Flair had changed over the last few days, he now realized. The daily divinations had foretold something unusual, signs that he'd overlooked.
TwinMoonsday-Enjoy the moment, for it will pass; Midweek-Prepare yourself; Quert-yesterday, Restructuring is necessary.
He stared at the dice once more. Today you will meet your HeartMate. How long he had waited! He was thirty-seven, the sole member of a GreatHouse, the highest rank of Celta. There were only thirteen GreatHouses. His was a colony FirstFamily, the House of the Ash. By the grace of the Lord and Lady, he'd escaped the destruction of his Family by a rival House when he was six years old. By sheer will and determination he hid and lived as a boy in the slums of the worst part of the city-Downwind. He grew strong first to survive, then for vengeance.
Only in the last few years, after he'd reestablished his GreatHouse and started his shop, plying his Flair for mage-gems instead of fighting, had he been able to live life with deliberate ease. After tomorrow he would never again be alone. An exhilarating, but disturbing thought.
His caff was cold. The pungent scent no longer wafted through the air. He looked around his home workroom. The large desk of gleaming reddwood stood in sharp contrast to the scarred workbenches. On the far wall, behind a protection spell, were his gems and precious metals. In the corner, hidden by deep shadows, was his walk-in vault. It was built large to accommodate a man of his size and magical ability. The vault held a smaller safe containing his most precious possessions, including the necklace. His HeartGift. T'Ash rose and walked to the vault. After disarming the door with a routine spell Word, he went inside.
His HeartGift. An item created in three days after his last Passage, seventeen years before.
It was the third and last Passage that gave mastery of psi powers-rather than just confirming the Flair, then releasing it. And it was the final Passage that indicated HeartMates. In the delirium of that Passage T'Ash's Flair had spiraled to bond with his HeartMate, though he'd never felt the link since.
He placed his palm on the safe and muttered an opening spell and reached for the velvet case. The moment he touched it, urgency swept through him, the HeartGift's power. He grabbed the case, slammed the safe shut, strode out, and armed the vault. He set the round-cornered box in the middle of his largest worktable, positioned in the sunlight. T'Ash watched with disbelief as his hands trembled when he opened the box. Hands that had firmly swung a broadsword, hands that had steadily fixed tiny jewels in a tracery of delicate chains-still, his fingers shook.
Energy, power, magic streamed from the necklace, driving him back. He raised his hand and felt pulses from the piece. The sexual potency of a virile twenty-year-old man imbued the HeartGift; a man who had spent three days in an erotic delirium of a Passage that finally freed his psi power. T'Ash had focused all his creative, carnal energy on fashioning the necklace. Seventeen years had passed, and it still radiated. Sexual tension washed through him and lodged, tingling his nerves, warming his muscles, pooling in his groin. He'd feel the pressure until he took his mate. The tautness was disconcerting, pleasure bordering on pain. Anticipation. T'Ash sucked in a breath and looked at the necklace again. Now he saw only how it was fashioned. He frowned. The strands of silver, gold, and redgold wire weren't uniformly thin, but showed lumpy nodules in places. The gem mountings were often clumsy. One side of his mouth quirked. When his hands hadn't wavered from sexual arousal, they'd shaken from exhaustion. He didn't remember eating or sleeping during the days he created the necklace-forging the metal, twisting the wire, setting the gems. The final jewel was a large roseamber pendant he'd spent septhours shaping. With the energy pouring through him, he wouldn't have been surprised if it had ended up in the shape of a phallus. He'd made a heart. Zanth, T'Ash's cat and Familiar, strolled in. Fish again, he projected telepathically to T'Ash. He carried his muscular fighter's body with grace. He'd attached himself to the child, Rand Ash, the first week in Downwind. The cat had announced he was Rand's Fam and demanded an Ash Family name. T'Ash's crate in the slum had been barely big enough for them both. Zanth had made the move into T'Ash Residence as if it were his due, though he looked every inch the Downwind tough. The cat was huge, two-thirds of a meter. Irregular black blotches dominated his white fur.
A red tongue caught a stray bit of food from his whiskers. You hear? Fish again! Oily.
Me not like and don't want any more.
Zanth's comment grounded T'Ash. "I'll speak to the chef." Zanth went to the workbench and stared up at the necklace. That thing. From long ago. His pink nose wrinkled. He opened his muzzle and curled his tongue to use his sixth sense-a combination of smell-taste. Don't like it. It's feral you. Too much you and not enough Me. Take it away.
"I'll take it with me to the shop tonight. I'm running the store. Majo, my manager, is on vacation for Discovery Day." Col-on-ists in spaceships found Celta on Dis-cov-ery Day.
"That's right."
Ships were down to few Cats. Good to party. You go on vac-a-tion, too. "Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow." When he had his HeartMate. He could arrange a wedding on Discovery Day, then a long honeymoon. He grinned. The gleam of a gem caught his eye and he looked again at the necklace and saw it, beyond its inherent power and the skill that fashioned it. He saw the style and the color of the gems. In that moment he knew who the woman was. His mate. He had never seen her, but he knew of her. Majo had told him how often she visited the store. Today you will meet your HeartMate. Not today, but tonight. For the first time in several years he had to man his exclusive shop in CityCenter. In the last few months he'd been playing a subtle game from a distance with an unseen customer, teasing her with his creations. She'd buy the charming and the whimsical, and preferred roseamber and redgold. All the jewelry she'd purchased had been at the least expensive end of his line. The pieces had also been some of his most original-and sensual. He wished he knew her name. From his pocket he pulled a long silver chain set with oddly shaped beads, and slid it through his fingers. It was designed to suspend a personal amulet. Some of the beads were round, some stone nuggets, and some faceted crystal. A simple piece with a small price, yet it was significantly superior in craftsmanship to the HeartGift. Zanth hopped up on the worktable and swatted the chain. T'Ash obligingly swung it. "The necklace is my gift to a mate, radiating my essence, and will draw her to me. We will have a woman living with us tomorrow. What do you say to that?"
Zanth looked past the swinging chain and narrowed his jade-green eyes at the necklace. Mate prefer mouse. He turned his back on the HeartGift. Snagging a claw in the chain, he brought it to his mouth. This female. You play with her. Give toys. "Yes, I make her jewelry." T'Ash dropped the end of the chain. It rattled to the desk.
Zanth tangled his paws in the chain and glanced sideways at T'Ash. This bauble was for her. She not take it.
T'Ash shrugged. That he couldn't predict her taste intrigued him. Several pieces that he'd made especially to tempt her had been bought by others, or remained unsold-so Majo said.
T'Ash had not asked her name. Instead it had been an increasingly enchanting game.
A game once, but not now. She'd visit the shop tonight. He knew it by his sharpened senses and the deep expectation humming in his bones. Zanth snuffled. He'd picked up a sinus infection prowling the alleys of Downwind that T'Ash had been unable to treat. Zanth was not amenable to nosedrops in each nostril three times a day. Female. He looked at the necklace. Female's scent improve it. T'Ash winced at his cat's blunt remark.
Females are soft laps. Will accept one in My domain. Pro-vis-ion-al-ly. With that, Zanth gathered some of the beaded chain in his mouth and hopped from the table. The chain skittered on the floor as he turned and exited, tail high. T'Ash didn't care to dwell on the thought of soft laps. He glanced at the HeartGift one more time and left it on his workbench. He needed more caff. The power from the necklace swirled around him. He felt it, and so would she, the passion that heralded a life long love, the deep yearning for one special person. The necklace would attract and affect only her. The vital sexuality as well as his basic nature portrayed in his HeartGift would snare her, and he would take her home. Simple. Easy. He had built a new Residence, a luxurious palace, after his final act of vengeance. Now he would have someone to share the echoing rooms with-a woman, a wife, a HeartMate.
A fierce smile curved his mouth. Having a mate would be satisfying, as satisfying as the orderly life he'd so carefully crafted after long struggle. Today you will meet your HeartMate.
With a sweep of his hand, he gathered the dice on his desk. Two bounced and fell to the floor, one cracking. He bent and his fingers stilled. Blaser rays surround a vulnerable woman. He picked up the die showing the woman. It fell to pieces.
A woman in danger.
His heart pounded like a hammer on an anvil. His Divination set, ruined. His lady, threatened. He'd put the violence-and the man he'd become seeking vengeance-behind him, but now his lady was endangered.
* * *

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A Really Great Book!

It was a pleasent shock to pick up the first book from Robin Owens, and find it so well written. Not only was the book different from other books, but it was fast paced, had GREAT characters, and had such a unique idea for a story line, that I was very excited to run out and buy the other two in the series. I do read a lot of romance books, and this one stands out from all the rest. It is not just a quick read that blends in with a hundred other romance books that you have picked up in the past. It stands alone, and I do believe it will find a quick place in your favorite shelf.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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Emily-J

Posted October 13, 2011

Excellent Start to a Series!

This book brings a fantasy world to life. It was exciting, romantic, and addictive. I can't wait to read more!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted March 23, 2014

Excellent World

The story is slow moving at times, but the world is hands-down one of the best I've ever read.

Celta is a place I want to live.

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Anonymous

Posted October 21, 2013

Slow

Slow plot

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northamericanwordcat

Posted July 12, 2013

I Also Recommend:

Perfect!
This is hands down one of my favorite romance series a

Perfect! This is hands down one of my favorite romance series and this first book is wonderful. I love this book because it straddles the genres of science fiction romance, fantasy romance, and regency.

The magic system in this world is compelling. The world building excellent and anthropological. The character development superb. The heroine and the heroine always grow. And then there are the talking cats. I LOVE THE TALKING CATS! They are great comic relief.

I have read this book at least 10 times. Every time a new book in the series comes out, I read it and then the entire series again. These a fated mate books but the love is always earned.

The hero is this book is great. He wants a family and love. I adore that in a hero. He is fairly clueless about how to court and get what he wants. He is an big strong alpha artist warrior and lord. He is also tortured and grew up in the streets.

Danith is of a different class and was treated as if she had little value most of her life as an orphan and someone with little apparent magical talent. She goes through a major adjustment in status during the novel.

The love story is sweet, sexy, compelling, and reread able

I love it each time I read it. Dang. I want to go read it again.

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Anonymous

Posted June 30, 2013

Thumbs Down

The story had a interesting plot, but the female main character was way too dramatic and annoying. She kept giving the same excuse over and over and over. It was overkill. I skipped pages just so I could finish the book.

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GabeGA

Posted March 24, 2012

Very enjoyable

Interesting story lines, good character development, both male and female characters show emotional depth.

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Artambrosia

Posted December 6, 2010

Do Not Miss This Book!

Heart Mate is a great story, filled with humor, romance, danger and plenty of fun. The characters are so real, so well developed that you can see them easily. The world Owens creates is a brand new, wonderous, undiscovered place for us to play in. It is no wonder this book won awards. Definitely a must read.

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Jas90

Posted April 10, 2010

I Also Recommend:

READ THIS BOOK!!!

This is a great book, it has really believable characters and is the best book in the whole series. Robin D. Owen usually writes Sci-fi but she did a great job on this book. I can't say it is very original because Jayne Ann Krentz has written another series called the Ghost Hunters Series that is similar. Both of the series feature people that have abandoned earth and settled on an unknown planet. They also have people on that planet that have physic abilities and the longer they stay on that planet the bigger their powers become.But all in all I like this book and I like this series. Robin creates a wonderful land that makes you forget about your life for a while. Enjoy!!!

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L-San-E

Posted September 5, 2009

Heartmate Makes The Match!

Wonderful for Sci Fi romantics. Thrilling and passionate. Great escape book. You won't be disappointed and will find yourself captivated by the characters and the magic.

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Anonymous

Posted December 12, 2001

HeartMate is a keeper

Robin Owens has created a wonderful world in Celta with charactors who are so magical, they're reminiscent of old world sorcerers. T'Ash and Danith are the perfect imperfect hero and heroine and T'Ash's Fam cat, Zanth will leave you laughing with his true to life cat antics. This book definately has a spot on my keeper shelf along with any others Ms. Owen writes in the future.

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Anonymous

Posted December 23, 2001

Fantasy Romance Readers, Hooray! Here's a Keeper

Those of us who love the fantasy romance have been begging for more. At last here it is, a wonderful book by a new author. T'Ash is a wonderful, brooding and touching hero in his quest to win his heartmate Danith. You're not going to want to miss this one.

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Anonymous

Posted December 28, 2001

Very Fun to Read

This book is lots of fun to read. The world created is so rich in detail, that I can see, hear and smell it. I enjoyed the stubborn hero and heroine as they grew into people worthy of great love. The secondary characters are also three-dimensional -- I adored Zanth - the telepathic cat. I am sure that my cats often think the same way. This book has it all. It made me laugh out loud at times, while other times I felt frustrated by the characters' actions and still other times I felt like crying. I recommend this book highly!

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Anonymous

Posted November 21, 2001

This book is not to be missed!

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It hooked me right at first and the intensity of the book didn¿t let up through the whole thing! This is not a light read. It is rich in details and the characters are fabulous. Zanth, the telepathic cat, absolutely stole the whole show! T¿Ash has finally discovered his Heartmate. Now all he has to do is meet her and give her his Heartgift and she¿ll fall right into his arms. He has no way of knowing what a battle it will be for his Heartmate to accept him. Danith Mallow wants a family. Her parents died in an accident many years ago and she had to go to an orphanage. She knows just who the man is she will accept if he will just ask her. Then she walks into T¿Ash¿s shop and notices him. He¿s tall, dark and looks extremely dangerous. He senses right away that she is his Heartmate but it doesn¿t work the other way. She runs from him and keeps running. Action and adventure abound until he finally gets her to realize that they belong together. This futuristic is full of magic, rogue warriors looking for trouble and lots of danger. I avidly devoured this book. I eagerly look forward to more from Robin D. Owens and have added her to my list of automatic buy authors!

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Anonymous

Posted September 25, 2001

HeartMate by Robin D. Owens

Robin's debut novel is a combination of Futuristic, Fantasy, and romance. She's woven an incredibly fascinating world of magic and complex society into a tale of one man's determination to claim his HeartMate despite all the obstables placed in his way. Rand T'Ash is strong willed, stubborn and sometimes too impatient, and very determined to convince Danith Mallow that she's his HeartMate and they should marry. Danith has doubts, and her lack of 'Flair' (psychic magic) makes her feel she's not Rand's equal. Robin has woven the unique talent of psychic abilities into the entire plot line of this story and the futuristic society in which Rand & Danith live. Its a fast paced, page-turner, read and I loved the whole 'soul mate'(HeartMate) concept where love eventually triumps over all other obstacles. After reading this one, you'll be glad to know there will be sequels to this book.

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Anonymous

Posted November 26, 2001

HeartMate is a delight

It is hard to believe that this is Robin's first published book. Her characters are so rich in life, and her world so well drawn out. The humor is well done, nicely balanced with the adventure and romance. Overall, a well done and delightful read.

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Anonymous

Posted November 25, 2001

Exquisite

If you loved the world of Shield's Lady, if you love the Matrix of Destiny series, well settle down and enjoy a world equally as powerful and fascinating. A world of psychic powers, interesting and funny characters, and a love so deep it can only be found in one person...a heartmate. Revel in T'Ash and Danith's story, of physical fights won and inner worlds conquered. Ms. Owens just made my 'Must Have' list. I can't wait for sequels. And there are so many possible heros to choose from. All I can say is more, more, more!!!!!!!

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Amusing fantasy romance

In Druida City, Celta, Rand T¿Ash, a renowned jeweler, is lonely until his psi power, the Flair, informs him that ¿Today you will meet your HEARTMATE¿. Suddenly his adrenaline flows to extreme levels as Rand anxiously awaits the arrival at his shop the Phoenix of whom he has dreamed of forever. As he anxiously awaits her arrival, Rand pulls out of his safe his HeartGift, a special necklace for his beloved. <P>However, instead of falling into his arms as he has fantasized, Danith Mallow seems frightened of the over eager and clearly ardent Rand with his brooding sensual dark looks at her. She flees his shop and while he falls into in self-pity, someone steals his HeartGift. Now Rand must show the patience of Job (minor anachronism) while courting his reluctant beloved and seeking the stolen necklace that symbolizes everything he cherishes in life. <P>HEARTMATE is a jocular fantasy romance with a touch of mystery that showcases Robin D Owens¿ ability to combine the varying elements into an entertaining novel that engages fans of all three genres. The lead couple is a delightful duo and his familiar Zanth (don¿t even go there) adds humor and feline advice to the mix. The amusing one-sitting story line works on all levels as readers from the different genres will want Ms. Owens to return to Celta for more tales of heartmates. <P>Harriet Klausner

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Anonymous

Posted October 2, 2001

Not to be missed!!!!

For those of us who have been bemoaning the lack of new Dara Joy's Matrix books, this is the perfect book. Robin Owen's debut is outstanding. I fell in love with this strong hero and I feel that Danith, the heroine, is his perfect match. Not only was this the perfect romance for me, but Zanth (T'Ash's cat) had me in stitches. Jove please,please hurry up and publish HeartMate's sequels. I will be lining up outside my local bookstore for my copy.

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